“The anecdotes which surfaced at the McLaren bash could fill a book”
THE ARCHIVES
A hugely impressive McLaren Old Boys’ and Girls’ 60th Anniversary bash highlighted early November, organised by former team staffers Matthew Jeffreys and Richard West, attended by nearly 350 McLaren veterans – and with company principal for 36 years Ron Dennis its surprise guest of honour.
I can’t possibly detail every heartwarmingly memorable moment witnessed between long-time team members, colleagues, friends, and today apparently reconciled one-time love/hate rivals. The anecdotes and insights which surfaced really could fill a book. Here’s just a taster: compère Richard West having just invited McLaren’s 1998-99 World Champion Mika Häkkinen on stage, opening question: “Mika, what really made McLaren so special in those years?”. The Flying Finn’s perfectly timed response, “Me!”.
From 30 years earlier, signwriter and later sought-after crash helmet artist Doug Eyre recalled the pace at which the embryo team operated: “My phone rang. An American voice said ‘I’m Teddy Mayer of the McLaren motor racing team – would you be interested in doing a job for us?’. I thought that could be good, so asked where they were based. He said ‘Colnbrook’, just up the road from me. I told him so and he just said ‘Great. We’ll see you in 20 minutes then…’”.
Can-Am mechanic Alec Greaves: “In practice at Mosport Bruce was suddenly beside me saying ‘Have we got any black tape?’. I told him ‘Sure – how much do you need?’. ‘Only about an inch square’. ‘Why?’. And he just said ‘There’s a light keeps coming on…’ – as in oil pressure warning – ‘…and I just want to cover it up!’”.
The otherwise wildly enthusiastic, always engaging Bruno Giacomelli – whose works M23 and M26 cars in period were often lettered ‘Jack O’Malley’ (plus a Guinness label), was asked “Do you watch Formula 1 these days?”. He nodded vigorously, then added “I take long naps”.
American privateer Brett Lunger emphasised how James Hunt “…was not just a party animal; once in the car he was very professional and did just a great job. He was incredibly quick”. ‘How would he do today?’. “For sure he would be right up there, but probably 10 to 12 track limitation violations every race…”.
Richard West, incidentally, explained how Brett’s post-F1 aviation career had included 156 medical mercy flights in his own twin-jet – bringing succour to many in dire need.
